Major urban reserve a done deal

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This article was published 19/07/2022 (792 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

IN a ceremony marked by Indigenous traditions, representatives from Manitoba’s seven Treaty 1 nations have signed a deal to create Canada’s largest urban reserve in southwest Winnipeg.

“(This) will serve as the best practice for First Nations and municipal relations across the country… From today forward, these types of relationships should be looked at as investments,” said Brokenhead Chief Gordon BlueSky at the event, which took place at The Forks National Historic Site Wednesday.

He described the agreement, which involves the 109-acre site of the former Kapyong military barracks on Kenaston Boulevard, as “the best services agreement of its kind.”

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman heralded the official creation of Naawi-Oodena, an Indigenous mixed-use village, as true reconciliation.

“It’s time for optimism, a time for hope, and certainly a time to celebrate,” Bowman said.

“Naawi-Oodena, once developed, will be one of the most complete communities in Winnipeg and will serve as a model to shape future urban reserve partnerships across Canada.”

Other signatories included the chiefs of Peguis, Sagkeeng, Roseau River, Long Plain, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake First Nations.

The $1-billion development features as many as 3,000 residential units and an array of commercial, recreational, educational and cultural spaces.

Bluesky, who is chairman of Treaty One Development Corp., said Naawi-Oodena is the third urban reserve in Winnipeg but is by far the largest Indigenous-led economic development deal in the city.

Treaty One will develop 68 per cent of the land, while the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown corporation, will develop the rest.

Per the services agreement, Treaty One will establish bylaws and zoning rules to govern the site and will collect the same business and property taxes as all other city properties.

In exchange for providing municipal services like fire, police, sewage collection and water distribution, the city will receive 65 per cent of the tax revenues. The seven First Nations will retain the remaining 35 per cent to cover operational costs.

Land taxes will be remitted until the development is complete. The city recently approved the deal.

“The City of Winnipeg came to the table with political support and will again, and we needed that to be successful. They have set the strong example of how relationships can be mended and strengthened,” BlueSky said. “For our federal and provincial governments, this is how it looks. This is how we should be sitting down.”

Development at the Naawi-Oodena site is set to begin next month, but will likely take up to 15 years to complete.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca